Golden Retriever Saves Hikers From Mountain Lion

DenverChannel News ^ | 2.5.04

[ambrose]

Golden Retriever Saves Hikers From Mountain Lion Friendly 'Stanley' Charges Until Mountain Lion Climbs Up Tree

POSTED: 8:08 AM MST February 5, 2004

UPDATED: 8:56 AM MST February 5, 2004

LYONS, Colo. -- A trusty golden retriever named Stanley is being hailed a hero after saving his owner and her friend from a mountain lion.

The two women were hiking with their dogs off Highway 7 in Lyons last week when a mountain lion approached. They had noticed tracks in the area but they thought the tracks were old until Betsy Burton spotted an animal out of the corner of her eye.

"I turned to my left and he was right there. About 4 to 6 feet, kind of to the left of me, but behind me. It was this absolutely gorgeous mountain lion," Burton said. "At first I really didn't get it. I saw him and I thought, 'How beautiful.'"

Then the lion spotted Burton and Cindy Kaylan. They say it crouched down and began to growl.

"The lion just kept staring at Betsy and it just seemed like he was going to come after her," Kaylan said. "I felt like running but I knew that wasn't the right thing to do."

Burton then yelled at Kaylan to find a big branch and hold it above her head to make her appear larger.

"You know, that made me act big. We just kept screaming," said Kaylan, who owns Stanley.

"Then all of a sudden Stanley just charged at him, and the mountain lion ran up a tree about 30 feet away," Kaylan said.

They could hear the lion roaring at the dog from the tree.

"About a minute later Stanley came (back). We thought Stanley would be dead or completely bloody but Stanley was fine," Burton said. "What is good about that is Stanley, being as brave as he is, gave us time to do what we're suppose to do."

The Department of Wildlife is monitoring the area. It estimates that the mountain lion the woman confronted weighs about 150 pounds.

A local wildlife expert recommends anyone who wants to hike in mountain lion territory to carry bear Mace. It sprays up to 30 feet and scares the lions long enough for a person to get away.

[NeonKnight]

It's not something to bet on, but read post 40. I know dogs very, very well. I have been attacked by dogs as well. Admittedly, I am larger, and stronger than most city folks, but most people just don't appreciate their power.

[muir_redwoods]

What one should do in cases like this is carefully unholster your .357 or, better yet, your .44 mag, and draw a careful aim on the lion. Then blow his brains out.

If you're out hike where lions live and you're hiking unarmed you need to be taking better care of yourself and your dogs.It's the responsible thing to do.

[Mr.Atos]

Sure! But I see this point being tossed around about fighting a 60lb pit or retreiver. You'll likely not win a fight with a 125 lb Alsatian GSD or an 80 lb Belgian that can leap to head height in the blink of your eye, weilding 3/4-inch canines. Bragging is one thing. I'm just suggesting that you don't bet your life on it.

Nevertheless, the real point is that they make great companions for those who fancy the outdoors...

...notwithstanding those who fantasize about getting in the ring with one. (???)

[independentmind]

What happens if you miss?

[Darnright]

Beautiful Belgian you've got there.

[NeonKnight]

You are talking about a whole different animal. And no...I was not bragging....just stating fact.

[Sunsong]

Great story. I love dogs. I had a samoyed-retreiver mix. She was a fabulous dog, but I don't think she would have chased after a mountain lion. She would have figured I was there to handle any big problems :-)

[Mr.Atos]

Certainly! Your observations were quite correct (imo) in their own right, and pardon me for not saying that in the first place.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[NeonKnight]

Sorry for the personal insult. Not my style....

[Mr.Atos]

Thank you for saying so. The BSD is an amazing animal. Temujin is my first, but he won't be our last.

I know that pic looks staged, but it was a real photo of us taking a breather on the hike up to Snow Lake, Snoqualmie Pass, WA

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

And all Lassie can do is point toward a well!

Not according to the new GE commercial.

Lassie's been training.

Click here to check it out!

[general_re]

My money would be on a 150 pound cat against a golden retriever in a real fight.

That's why dogs don't run alone - they're pack hunters, remember. Two dogs the size of golden retrievers make a pretty even match for a mountain lion, and three dogs that size will kill that cat quite neatly.

[WV Mountain Mama]

Yep, when I lived out there, we would go mountain biking a lot. If you ever see anything like that, you are supposed to dismount and hold your bike above your head and scream.

I once saw a bobcat just after we got out of the car at the Estes Park, CO gun range. It is basically a private valley out in the mountains. He was beautiful and about 40 yards away. It was happy to be going on its way. I wondered how many other people would have just blasted it right there.

[Snowy]

[js1138]

I have Italian Greyhounds, about 9 pounds apiece. Together thy have had a great time chasing raccoons and such out of the yard. One night one of them went racing through the doggie door, accustomed to his companion being right behind him. But she was in a lazy mood that night and didn't go.

Soon there was a terrible screeching, and the male dog came back in all covered with claw marks.

It's interesting how two dogs of any size can intimidate anything of any size, but when there's only one dog, the adversary seems to be less inclined to run.

[NeonKnight]

Bobcats ARE gorgeous. You just hardley ever see them. They are all over the place around here, but they only come out at night. I see their tracks all the time, but have only actually seen one a couple of times.

[paul51]

I could have tapped the lion on the nose with the gun barrel. It just crouched and growled and kept staring, but didn't move

You have a lot more restraint than I do.

[epaul]

yup, big dogs can protect ya,, but we have a westie (west highland white) that "thinks" he can kick any cats butt. You ought to see him protect our "regular" cats food from outside cats, Some of those critters are the size of bobcats, no kiddin. He is so damm fast none of the neighborhood cats have a chance.

epaul

[budwiesest]

My two dogs (half Rott and Golden- over 100lbs. each) would race around our house each evening when let out (according to my wife). One early morning after, a sheriff came to my neighbors house and shot a 70lb. female cougar in his backyard tree.

I think our dogs discovered her in our Mulberry and sent her packing to the neighbor's tree (Ash). For months afterward, I went out at night with eyes and ears on high. This all took place in a sub-division, cul-de-sac with small children on the street at all hours of the day.